Match Analysis: Norwich City 0-1 Chelsea

Chelsea recorded their third consecutive Premier League win courtesy of a single-goal victory over Norwich City this afternoon.

A first-half Juan Mata strike was enough for the Blues, who moved to within four points of second-place Manchester City in the table courtesy of the result.

Below, Sports Mole analyses whether the result was reflective of the action at Carrow Road.

Match statistics

Norwich: Shots: 8 On target: 4 Possession: 40% Corners: 5 Fouls: 7

Chelsea: Shots: 20 On target: 11 Possession: 60% Corners: 7 Fouls: 7

Was the result fair?

As the statistics suggest, yes it was. Chelsea had more possession and far more penetration in the final third and deserved maximum points from this one.

Norwich's performance

Defensively pretty sound throughout, with Sebastien Bassong and Michael Turner able to keep Fernando Torres fairly quiet all game. Norwich's problems were at the other end, where they failed to provided either the service or the support to lone frontman Grant Holt.

Chelsea's performance

Obviously there were not the same fireworks that lit up Stamford Bridge in the hammering of Aston Villa on Sunday, but Chelsea were the better side in almost every department. Gritty at the back and in midfield, David Luiz again flourished in a slightly more advanced role. They have class, and more importantly, goals, in their attacking midfield trio and Mata was the pick of the bunch today.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Juan Mata: Aside from his clever footwork and excellent vision, the Spaniard took his goal superbly and that ended up being the difference between the sides. Another match-winning contribution from Mata, who now has seven Premier League goals and assists each to his name.

Biggest gaffe: There were few real bloopers from either side, but Bassong was guilty of some suspect defending in the latter stages. He attempted to dribble the ball out from a tricky position at the back and lost out to Frank Lampard. The move eventually resulted in Mark Bunn smartly saving from Eden Hazard, so the Canaries man escaped unpunished.

Referee's performance

Jonathan Moss had a fine game - correctly judging the two biggest decisions of the match. He turned down Norwich appeals for a penalty when Robert Snodgrass fell softly under the challenge of Branislav Ivanovic and later booked Bradley Johnson for an obvious dive.

What next?

Norwich: An equally difficult fixture as Manchester City visit Carrow Road on Saturday.

Chelsea: A tough trip to Everton before a home London derby against Harry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers.